Although the mintage of the 1889-S double eagle was generous at more than three-quarters of a million pieces, most of the Mint State examples known occupy the lower rungs of the ladder. This Choice example is one of only five such submissions at NGC, with 13 others at PCGS (2/12). This coin would be an especially noteworthy acquisition for a type set to represent the Type Three variant, with TWENTY DOLLARS spelled out on the reverse. The piece is quite sharply struck, remarkably free of distracting abrasions, and offers bright, shimmering fields